Court Leet Zoom in

Court Leet holds Great Autumn Court online

Keen to uphold Bromsgrove’s ancient traditions, the Court Leet held the annual Great Autumn Court online via the Zoom platform.

For centuries, the Great Autumn Court meeting has been held to swear in the new Bailiff, elect the officers of the Court and carry out any formal business. The Court was keen to ensure the meeting could take place despite the current pandemic situation and arranged an online gathering.

At the Autumn Court the Bailiff, Jo Slade, Bromsgrove’s first female Bailiff, was re-elected to continue in the role for another year. The proposal was backed by the Lord of the Manor, Chris Bird, who said that the Bailiff’s year should be the combination of the events attended and duties carried out, and not merely 365 days. Since the majority of events in 2020 had been cancelled it was proposed that the Bailiff should continue in the hope that events would take place in 2021. The Reeve, Neil Beaumont, will remain in his position for another year.

The Court also saw a change in the role of Marshal and Headborough. Group Captain John Rogers stepped down as Marshal and Chris Firminger was elected to take on the role. The Marshal organises and leads the parade on Fair Day and oversees the smooth running of Court Meetings. Headborough for the past 17 years Geoff Evans stepped aside and Charlie Ayres was elected into the role. The Headborough represents the Tythingmen in the Court and is identified by red coat and top hat.

Tythingman Mark Robinson was elected to join the Jury and two new members of Court were welcomed in at the meeting. Retired teacher and Avoncroft volunteer Peter Gale joined as the Tythingman for Gannow and Bromsgrove Printer Richard Nokes took on the role of Tythingman for Fockbury. Richard follows in the footsteps of his father who was the Tythingman for Catshill for over 30 years.

The Court Bellman and Town Crier Kevin Ward was presented with a knitted crier in recognition of 35 years of service and commitment to the Court and the town. Kevin announced that it was his ambition to match the long service of a previous Bellman which was 53 years!

Bailiff Jo Slade said “It has been an honour to serve as the Bailiff of the Ancient Court for the past year. I am humbled to be re-elected to the position by my colleagues in the Court and I thank them for putting their faith in me to continue to lead the Court at this time. My thanks are extended to the retiring Marshal and Re-elected Court Bailiff Jo Slade

Headborough for their service and commitment to the Court over many years. I am delighted to welcome new members and hope that we will be able to carry out our events in the expected way next year.”

Reeve Neil Beaumont will give a talk on the history of the Court on 15th December through the Bromsgrove Society – details can be found www. bsoc.co.uk and for more information about the Court Leet visit www. bromsgrovecourtleet.co.uk or find them on Facebook.